The 2025/26 A-League season is back, and this year I’m going to focus on both the Kiwi teams and their games each week, as well as fire off a best bet for the weekend and a four leg multi.
Auckland FC have some new faces and will be hoping to go one better than last year. The Minor Premiers from last year fell agonizingly short of the final, losing to the team that they’ll open their new campaign against.
The Wellington Phoenix travel away for their first game too, and they need to get off to a good start to win back the hearts of Kiwi football fans.
Let’s get straight into this new A-League season!
Ah the Victory in Melbourne. The Black Knights can exact their revenge straight away.
Steve Corica isn’t shying away from the moment, talking up this revenge game for his side. Corica has said he’s planning on drawing from that losing feeling to get his players ready for their opening fixture.
Melbourne Victory will be eager to set the record straight after they lost in last year’s final. As well as their loss at AAMI Park in the first leg of last year’s semi-final.
Auckland FC, despite losing some players, have strengthened their squad by adding Lachlan Brook, Oli Sail, Sam Cosgrove and Jake Girdwood-Reich (loan).
The pressure within the squad might be high, but the external pressure might not be. It’s always a bit different when you start away from home, however, as the new kids on the block, on the back of the season Auckland FC just had, the pressure to start strong is as high as it ever might be.
The players will know this, and they’ll be wanting and expecting to be bringing three points back home, and I’m going to back them to do so as well.
Last year the Black Knights were very strong defensively, especially in the first part of the season. They were also scoring goals at the other end. For another option, check out the Super Boost we have for this opening game, Auckland FC to score first, boosted from $2.10 to $3.00.
The Nix have a lot of work to do and struggled in front of goal mightily last year. They missed the presence of a big, strong striker like Oskar Zawada.
They’ve gone and gotten Nigerian striker Ifeanyi Eze. He had 19 G/A’s for Al-Karkh SC in the Iraq Stars League last season. They’ll be hoping he has all the ingredients to help fix their struggles from last season.
Both of these sides will be hoping for huge improvements on last year (Phoenix in 11th and the Glory in 13th)
They played twice last season and both games finished 2-0 with the away side taking the cake. Nix are away… does that mean they can start their season off with a win?
They’ve already met recently in the Australian Cup, and after 90 minutes they couldn’t be separated at one goal each. Straight to penalties where the Nix won 8-7!
How do I see this one playing out? A high-scoring draw or win for the away side.
Someone tell me why the defending champs are underdogs in their first game of the season?
Yes, it is a tough ask against Western Sydney, who were decent last year, picking up 13 wins, finishing in 4th on the ladder.
But,
Melbourne City showed up when they needed to, and this opening game will help set the tone for their title defence. They’ll know they need to be at their best to beat this Western Sydney side, and when City are at their best, no one can beat them.
- Melbourne City to Win @ $2.50
- Auckland FC to Win @ 2.80
- Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix Over 2.5 Total Goals @ $1.55
- Brisbane Roar vs Macarthur FC Over 2.5 Total Goals @ $1.50
Remember to use Multi Rescue, so if your bet loses by one leg, you’ll get your stake back as Bonus Cash up to $50.